... this line is just one that neatly sums up why I keep coming back to Slash for recaps. Each individual report has an episodic quality to it, and are written with a reader in mind -- a reader that possesses actual (gasp) intelligence and long-term memory.

I'm truly disappointed that the WWF has chosen to emulate the very company they put out of business. As weekly progamming continues to mimic the "glory" days of Nitro and Thunder, it's becoming less and less of a priority to tune in and fight the tide. I've always considered myself a wrestling fan ... but over the last several months, things have changed and I find myself doubting everything that the "fan" in me has relied on. For instance, I'm almost convinced that Stephanie McMahon sees herself starring in a soap opera or sitcom within a year's time ... and, in her mind, these "skits" (as well as her breast enhancement) are means to achieve that end. But I digress.

I'm so glad I can miss these awful shows, knowing that I can go to Slash and find out that I didn't really miss anything noteworthy. It's also nice to find some humor (like the line at the top) mixed in for good measure. I may not be a big "high-ranking" BB member here, but believe me -- I'm just as much of a regular as anyone else. CRZ, I do not know how you can keep plugging away at this -- but I thank you for doing so.

I agree with you about the "long term vs. self-contained" direction, too - not only in the WWF but in my writing. I'm certain that this is related to the type of fanbase I draw as well, given that my style tends to lead to me writing in such a way that long-time readers are rewarded by some of the more subtle things I sneak in there...as well as "new" readers being baffled as to why I have ANY modicum of popularity at all. ;-)

Thanks again; I really appreciate it. In fact, I may go start the SmackDown! recap now instead of blowing it off for another half hour...well....we'll see.

I used to have a poster from that same photo shoot apparently that said the Champ and the 1st Lady of Wrestling or somesuch. I've still got the poster in storage somewhere, but the cannister it came in and was signed by Jimmy Hart was lost somewhere in my college days(ze).

The Macho Man, much like CRZ's recaps kick ass. Being someone with a wife who doesn't like wrestling, I tape the shows mostly, and watch them on weekend mornings while she is still sleeping. His recaps allow me to get past all the filler to what I really want to see or tape to keep.

"my style tends to lead to me writing in such a way that long-time readers are rewarded by some of the more subtle things I sneak in there"

... absolutely. In fact, while watching the start of last night's Raw, I was reminded by something you wrote about Nitro quite a while ago. The new Raw intro showed so much of Austin, it was almost a foregone conclusion that he would sign with the Raw "brand" -- and I went and took a moment to find THIS from the 8-24-98 Nitro report ...

"Everybody who knows how it's going to end, raise your hand. You all know already, don't you. Isn't that sad? Doesn't that suck?"

... it's just another example of the current WWF trend, and why their programming has become so disappointing.

DrewDeuce ...

... I have that Macho Man/Elizabeth poster; or, better yet, my younger brother has it on his wall. I never got it signed, but it's been kept in pretty good shape over the years. You don't KNOW how much it killed me to see him lose that title.